If you live in Wales, you will know that a trip to the nearest supermarket has altered somewhat in the past few years. Now, for every plastic carrier bag picked up at the tills, a five pence charge is added to your shopping total. However, whilst this may irritate some shoppers, a poll by Which? Magazine indicates that England and Scotland may not be too far behind in this initiative if consumers have their way.
According to Which?, more than half of supermarket shoppers in England and Scotland believe that retailers should charge for plastic bags. Currently, Marks & Spencer is the only chain imposing a nationwide charge for plastic bags, yet 56 per cent of shoppers questioned by the consumer group would support a 5 pence levy on carrier bags if stores in England and Scotland put the measure in place.
Since introducing the charges, Marks & Spencer claim that 78 per cent less bags are used in its commercial properties nationwide, making it one of the most environmentally friendly retailers in the UK at present. Meanwhile, supermarket chain Morrisons says that the imposed charge has led to an 80 per cent drop in carrier bag usage in its Welsh branches.
Northern Ireland is already set to follow in Wales’ footsteps, with mandatory charging for carrier bags set to be introduced to all retailers from early next year. The Scottish Parliament will consult on the issue later this year before making any decisions on whether to introduce the measure as law.
The survey has come at a very opportune time, as figures show that the consumption of plastic bags is now at an all-time high according to the Waste Resources Action Plan (Wrap). In the past two years alone, the number of plastic bags provided to customers increased to eight billion, or 120 per customer – an increase of 10 per cent from 2010. Although usage dipped in 2008, when supermarkets signed an agreement pledging to cut carrier bag use by 50 per cent for a year, the figures have climbed again after the deal ended in 2009.
A spokesman for Defra said; “We want to work with retailers to help them lift their game to cut the number of bags they hand out.
“We are monitoring the results of the charging scheme in Wales and the outcome of the Scottish consultation on a charge.”
Also included in the survey was the fact that half of shoppers who choose to do their grocery shopping online, using services such as Tesco Direct, felt that too many plastic bags had been used in the delivery of their shopping. Even of the 44 per cent questioned who did not agree that retailers should charge for plastic bags, only 45 per cent gave the reason that they feel entitled to free bags. The majority gave economic reasons for their answer, believing that they already pay enough for their shopping without having an extra fee thrown in.
Which? Executive Director, Richard Lloyd, said; “Customers should re-use bags wherever possible and take advantage of recycling points in stores where they’re available.
“We’d also like to see recycled material used for new plastic bags as much as possible.”
Do you recycle plastic bags, either next time you go shopping or as bin liners for waste paper baskets in your home? Should commercial property supermarkets charge for carrier bags, or do you think that consumers are already charged enough as it is?
I think we have already paid and a bag should be given to allow us to get our products home easier. They could give us boxes or paper bags like in America, but they should give us something!